Q: If fireworks are illegal in Georgia, where do the authorities buy fireworks?

TOMMY ROSEN,

Atlanta

A: Some consumer fireworks are legal in Georgia. Traditional sparklers and "nonexplosive and nonaerial" "sparkling items" were legalized in 2005. Some of these are pretty large and shoot impressive streams of sparks high into the air. Most fireworks sold in neighboring states —- bottle rockets and firecrackers, for instance —- are still illegal here.

Display fireworks —- the kind you go to the mall and other places to watch —- are also legal in Georgia. The folks putting on the shows are subject to state and federal regulations. They buy fireworks from licensed manufacturers in the United States as well as other countries.

Q: A Zaxby's commercial features an actor named Cody Linley. Who is he?

THOMAS PALMER,

East Point

A: Cody Linley has appeared in feature films and on television. The 18-year-old starred as Mullet Fingers in "Hoot," a movie about a boy who causes mayhem when the owls in his home in the woods are threatened. A few of his other movies are "My Dog Skip," "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town." On TV, he has been on popular shows such as "That's So Raven" and "Hannah Montana."

The Athens-based company was started by childhood pals Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley in 1990 when they opened their first Zaxby's in Statesboro.

—- Staff researchers Richard Hallman and Joni Zeccola wrote this column.

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